Mounting for luminous tubes



y 1929- F. w. YOUNG 1,722,363

MOUNTING FOR LUMINOUS TUBES Filed July 9, 1927 INVENTOR. 0 I

A TTORNEY haw.

Patented July 30, .1929;

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

FRED WILLIAM YOUNG, 01: LITTLE NECK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T RAINBDW LIGHT, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.-

' MOUNTING FOR LUMINOUS TUBES.

Application filed July 9,

My invention relates to mountings for luminous tubes of the type employing a rarefied gas such as neon, for example, which is caused to become brilliantly luminescent by the passage of an electric current through the same. These tubes are largely used at the present time as electric-signs. They are of considerable length (in the neighborhood of twelve feet or more) and are generally formed in the shape of letters or symbols.

The tubes are therefore fragile and it is necessary that they should be mounted in such a way as to be firmly supported upon or with respect to a suitable base.

I have devised an improved mounting for these luminous tubes which is of simple construction, readily and accurately adjustable and which has been found to be commercially useful.

In order that my invention may be better understood attention is directed to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of one of the supports in section. showing a portion of the luminous tube in position,

Figure 2 an elevation of the-same, and

Figure 3 a cross-sectional view.

hall of theseviews corresponding parts 30 are represented by the same reference numerals.

The support 1 is illustrated for convenience as a board or other surface withirespect to which the luminous tube 2 is mounted. As

1 explained. the luminous tube is of considerable length, and is generally formed in the shape of letters or symbols so as to constitute an advertising sign. 4

The mountings forming the subjectof this invention are arranged at, suitable intervals with respect to the tube so as to properly and accurately support it. One of these mountings. is shown in the drawings. It comprises a socket 3 having aflange 4 over which extends a casing 5. This casing is secured to the base 1 in-any suitable way such as by screws 6.

The rod 7 enters an opening 8 in the socket 3, said opening being eccentric as shown so that by turning the socket within the case 5,

1927. Serial No. 204,471.

the rod 7 may be brought into exact alinement with the portion of the luminous tube 2 with which the mounting is to cooperate. This adjustment of the socket 3 'is made while the screws 6 are somewhat loosened, after which the said screws are tightened so as to lock the socket 3 firmly in place.

The rod 7 is longitudinally adjustable in the opening 8 so as to properly support the tube 2, said rod being locked in its adjusted position in any suitable way, as by a locking screw 9.,

The rod 7 carries a saddle 10 at its outer end, the two arms of the saddle being formed each with ahole 11 into which leads an opening 12, as clearly shown in Figure 1. En-

gaging-the holes 12 1s a support 13, as shown clearly in Iflgure 3, said support having a section of elastic material 14 thereon, preferably tubular rubber. The luminous tube 2- is held against this elastic section by means of a spring member 15 which, as shown, is preferably an elastic wire of zig-zag formation, the hooked ends of which are engaged with the holes 11 through the openings 12.

In applying the spring member 15 in place,

a certain amount of tension is imposed thereon so as-to cause the tube to be pressed firmly and securely in contact with the resilient section 14.

It will be seen that the improved mounting is capable of accurate adjustmentboth longitudinallv and laterally so as to be brought into line with the luminous tube without imposing any stress or strains thereon which might tend to crack or break the same. \Vhen once brought into alinement with the tube the latter will be firmly held by merely slipping the spring member 15 in place. At the same time in the case of breakage of the tube it may be readily removed for purposes of repair merely by disconnecting the spring members 15 of several mountings.

Having now. described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. An improved mounting for luminous tubes comprising a rod having a saddle at its outer end, a support member detachably gaged to the luminous tube, and a detachable spring member also cooperating with the saddle for holding the luminous tube in such engagement, substantially as set forth.

2. An improved mounting for luminous tubes comprising a rod having a saddle at its outerend, a support member detachably carried by said saddle, a resilient section on said supporting member and adapted to be engaged to the tube, and a detachable spring member also cooperating with the saddle for holding the luminous tube in such engagement, substantially as set forth.

' FRED WILLIAM YOUNG. 

